On the training grounds.
Qin Ming led Ji Hongchen over to the training grounds and waved to the students there.
"Everyone, come over here."
"We have a few new students joining us today. Come get acquainted."
At his words.
Yu Tianheng and the others came over, their expressions changing abruptly when they recognized Ji Hongchen.
Naturally, they knew Ji Hongchen.
He was the young man who had defeated Yu Tianheng with a single sword strike.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Ji Hongchen. My martial soul is a sword, and I'm a level forty-two Battle Soul Ancestor."
Ji Hongchen introduced himself calmly.
Behind him, Ning Rongrong also spoke.
"Ning Rongrong. My martial soul is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I'm a level thirty auxiliary-type prospective Soul Elder."
"Xiao Wu. My martial soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit. I'm a level thirty prospective Battle Soul Elder."
Off to the side, Yu Tianheng felt his scalp prickle.
They were all prospective Soul Elders!
And there was even a level forty-two freak who exceeded all expectations.
Were these people monsters?
"How old are you?"
Yu Tianheng could not help asking.
"I'm fourteen. Rongrong and the others are twelve."
Hiss-
That answer made everyone draw another sharp breath.
At that age, they had only been a little over level twenty. The gap was enormous.
Yu Tianheng fell silent, clenching his fists in resentment.
The gap was enormous.
Why was this happening? Could he really be inferior to some poor kid from a commoner family?
Perhaps it was hereditary.
The first emotion that rose in Yu Tianheng was actually jealousy, rather than anticipation at having a future teammate.
Qin Ming saw that everyone had fallen silent.
He could also tell that Ji Hongchen's strength had stunned them.
"All right, everyone, assemble. Get ready for combat training."
Qin Ming looked at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
"Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, rejoin your team. Ji Hongchen is too strong, so you'll face him in combat training with your original lineup."
With that, he turned to Ji Hongchen.
"Ji Hongchen, do you need any teammates? Ning Rongrong could support you, for instance."
Ji Hongchen shook his head.
"No need."
What an arrogant kid.
Qin Ming was a little surprised by how readily Ji Hongchen refused, but he did not say much more.
"Don't get careless."
"You may be a Soul Ancestor, but Yu Tianheng is already level thirty-nine, just one step away from becoming one himself. With all seven of them joining forces, you might not be their match."
Ji Hongchen gave a relaxed smile.
"No problem. I'd like to see where my limits lie, too."
Yu Tianheng listened to Ji Hongchen's words.
They grated on his ears. After all, before Ji Hongchen arrived, he had been the strongest member of the entire team.
Now that Ji Hongchen was here, everything had changed.
Every one of them had focused their attention on Ji Hongchen, while he seemed to have been completely forgotten.
All of this should have been mine!
Qin Ming sent them straight onto the training platform.
Yu Tianheng led his team onto the platform. Looking at Ji Hongchen opposite him, a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes.
"Ji Hongchen, you really are strong."
"But there are seven of us now, and only one of you. I suggest you recognize the difficulty and back down."
Ji Hongchen smiled faintly, a little more confidence entering his voice. "Don't worry. I have some confidence in my own strength."
"Tch. How arrogant!"
Yu Tianheng snorted coldly.
The next moment, all seven instantly activated Martial Soul Possession. Hundred-year soul rings and thousand-year soul rings shone against one another in a spectacular display.
At the sight, Ji Hongchen drew the Jinghong Sword.
Four soul rings rose from beneath his feet: one yellow, two purple, and one black.
"A ten thousand year soul ring!"
Yu Tianheng's pupils contracted.
"How is that possible?! How can your fourth soul ring be a thousand-year soul ring?"
Behind him.
Osler and the others were equally stunned, staring in disbelief at Ji Hongchen's soul ring configuration, which defied all common sense.
"Let's begin!"
Ji Hongchen spoke coolly.
Yu Tianheng drew a deep breath and steadied his mind.
"Brothers, don't hold back. Go all out."
As his words fell, everyone attacked at once, their momentum surging like a rainbow. In a mere instant, several martial soul attacks were about to strike Ji Hongchen.
Ji Hongchen remained where he stood.
He lightly swung the Jinghong Sword in his hand.
A flash of swordlight streaked past with almost no sound, effortlessly dissolving every attack in silence before flowing straight into a counterattack.
Slash!
The next moment, several figures went flying backward.
One sword strike, and all seven were eliminated.
Even Qin Ming, standing nearby, stared slack-jawed. Was this really a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor?
"Hiss-"
"You're an absolute monster."
Yu Feng and the others came back to their senses. Feeling the sharp pain in their chests, they sucked in cold breaths.
"All right, get some rest."
"Still, it seems the academy's combat training hasn't done much for me."
Ji Hongchen shook his head with a hint of regret.
"No."
Seeing Ji Hongchen's expression, Qin Ming could not help stepping forward.
"Next, you'll face me in a soul fighting match."
Qin Ming stepped onto the arena.
He wanted to see just how strong this young man could be.
Ji Hongchen nodded.
He also wanted to test how large the gap was between his normal combat strength and that of a Soul Emperor.
"Teacher, please instruct me!"
Ji Hongchen's voice was calm.
Naturally, Qin Ming did not dare be careless.
"My martial soul is the Blazing Fire Wolf. Level sixty-three Battle Soul Emperor!"
As six soul rings lit up-two yellow and four purple-an awkward sight unfolded: Qin Ming's martial soul configuration was not even as good as Ji Hongchen's.
He did not have a single ten thousand year soul ring.
"Second Soul Skill, Flame Wolf's Skyward Howl!"
A wolf's howl rang out. Flames ignited beneath Qin Ming's feet, and his aura grew even stronger.
An enhancement-type soul skill?
Ji Hongchen thought to himself.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Flames Scorch the Heavens!"
Fierce flames surged up, instantly enveloping Qin Ming's body. The next moment, a gray wolf phantom rose behind him.
Roar!!!
The gray wolf threw back its head and howled at the sky.
The gray wolf phantom instantly lunged at Ji Hongchen, its scorching flames seemingly poised to devour him.
Ji Hongchen's gaze sharpened.
He swung the Sun-Piercer Sword in his hand.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Break!"
A golden astral sword qi roared forth, stirring up a sweep of swordlight as it slashed toward the gray wolf phantom.
Bang!
A muffled impact sounded.
The instant the gray wolf phantom touched the sword qi, it shattered, and the sword qi struck Qin Ming directly.
At the sight.
Qin Ming hurriedly channeled his soul power to block the blindingly fast strike.
Slash!
Qin Ming's expression changed. The next instant, a cut opened on his arm, and his aura gradually weakened. He was knocked back more than ten paces before barely regaining his footing.
Good heavens.
One sword strike forced a Soul Emperor back.
Qin Ming was inwardly shocked. This time, he no longer seemed to dare take any chances, and his sixth soul ring lit up.
"Sixth Soul Skill, Gray Wolf's Heavenly Flames!"
"Second Soul Skill, Dash!"
Ji Hongchen stepped forward, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot.
When he appeared again.
He had already put some distance between himself and Qin Ming.
Whoosh!
The Shadowstrike Sword flew out, heading straight for Qin Ming.
Qin Ming did not dare be careless. He hurriedly twisted aside, narrowly dodging the sword.
"Ji Hongchen, that sword strike was too slow!"
Just as Qin Ming was congratulating himself on dodging the sword and preparing to give this exceptionally gifted student a proper lesson, Ji Hongchen's voice rang out again.
"Teacher, you're the one who needs to be careful!"
"What?!"
Qin Ming frowned slightly in confusion.
The next moment, every hair on his body stood on end, and a sense of danger welled up within him.
Slash!
The next instant, a sharp pain shot through his chest.
I was struck by his sword without even realizing it!
Before you continue